The electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to value-added fuels and useful chemicals has been considered as one of the most effective routes to mitigate the greenhouse effect as well as energy crisis. CO₂ electro-reduction reaction undergoes complex pathways involving multiple electrons coupled with protons and thus various products can be obtained. Among the wide variety of products, the conversion of CO₂ to C₂₊ species is more favorable owing to their high energy density as well as complicated synthesis route in traditional industrial process.¹

Sn-based catalysts have been proved to be the most suitable candidate for the electro-reduction CO₂ to formate due to their low cost and non-toxic properties.² For example, in our previous work, we have synthesized ultrasmall SnO₂ nanoparticles supported on carbon black via ethylene glycol method.³ Based on this work, a series of Sn-based binary catalysts have been prepared with different compositions. At present, we are carrying out experiments to convert CO₂ to C₂₊ products using Sn-based catalysts through appropriate structural and electronic modification of tin oxide to achieve C-C coupling.

References:

1. Genovese, C.; Schuster, M. E.; Gibson, E. K.; Gianolio, D.; Posligua, V.; Grau-Crespo, R.; Cibin, G.; Wells, P. P.; Garai, D.; Solokha, V.; Krick Calderon, S.; Velasco-Velez, J. J.; Ampelli, C.; Perathoner, S.; Held, G.; Centi, G.; Arrigo, R., Operando spectroscopy study of the carbon dioxide electro-reduction by iron species on nitrogen-doped carbon. Nat. Commun. 2018, 9 (1), 935.
2. Li, Q.; Rao, X.; Sheng, J.; Xu, J.; Yi, J.; Liu, Y.; Zhang, J., Energy storage through CO2 electroreduction: A brief review of advanced Sn-based electrocatalysts and electrodes. Journal of CO2 Utilization 2018, 27, 48-59.
3. Zhang, S.; Kang, P.; Meyer, T. J., Nanostructured tin catalysts for selective electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136 (5), 1734-7.